The Woman in Black at Milton Keynes Theatre Review

The Woman in Black
Milton Keynes Theatre

23-28 March 2015

www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Reviewed by Natasha Kolb

I must admit to being a little apprehensive about seeing and reviewing The Woman in Black at the Milton Keynes Theatre, choosing to see it based on amazing reviews I’ve come across and yet also hesitant at deliberately putting myself through a scary experience for over 1 and a half hours! I’m not by nature, a thrill hunter or someone that enjoys being scared at all but I love a fantastic production and this looked set to offer that.

Milton Keynes theatre is a large, modern auditorium that offers ample cheap parking next to the theatre as well as a range of eateries close by. Accurate directions can be found on the theatre’s website. Tickets prices are between £20.40 and £34.90 with a range of packages available for an additional fee, ranging from drink and nibble sets to a full VIP lounge experience!

The Woman in Black was based on the book written by Susan Hill and adapted by Stephen Mallatratt. Unusually, it is played by just two cast members who play all parts. It is again different in that it is play within a play telling the Mr Kipp’s harrowing ordeal many years ago. I won’t say too much about the actual production as the element of surprise is key to the effectiveness of this show. The incredibly clever lighting and sound effects added to the drama of the already anticipant audience. The two actors, Malcolm James who played the part of Arthur Kipps and Matt Conner who played The Actor, certainly did not need the support of any other cast. Their stage presence and ability to switch between the various characters that they portrayed was phenomenal. Even when Malcolm James was playing the part of the bumbling, mumbling no good actor, Kipps, his delivery was faultless.

Although this wasn’t as terrifying as I had been lead to believe, the show still made the entire audience regularly jump. I would class this as a jumpy horror rather than freaky allowing enjoyment of the powerful story.

If you don’t mind a jumpy experience and are a fan on phenomenal acting and a brilliantly written storyline, then this is very much worth a watch!

Rating: 4.5/5

Tickets cost from £20.40 to £34.90 (plus £2.85 transaction fee)

The Woman in Black is at the Milton Keynes Theatre until 28 March 2015. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 8717652.

Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, Bucks, MK9 3NZ